Make Your Point > Archived Issues > BODE

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explore the archives: Short verbs pack a punch. Bode. Bilk. Bate. Sate. Tamp. Vaunt. Could you give a quick definition for each of these? make your point with... "BODE" To bode something (like to bode good weather or bode a war) is to reveal that it's going to happen soon. Also, to bode a certain way for something is to reveal how it's going to happen. For example, to bode well for something is to reveal that it's going to go well, and to bode poorly for something is to reveal that it's going to go poorly. Pronunciation: BOAD Part of speech: Verb. (It's transitive when you say something bodes something else, and it's intransitive when you say something bodes well.) Other forms: boded, boding How to use it: You can talk about one thing that bodes another. Usually it's an action, event, or signal that bodes some some effect or result: "the sweet, rich smell that bodes rain," "widespread unrest bodes a violent eruption." Most often, though, we talk about things that bode well for someone or something: "the approval ratings bode well for her," "his high test scores bode well for his college career," "all that infighting doesn't bode well for their administration." Leave off the "for," if you like: "his high test scores bode well," "all that infighting doesn't bode well." You can also talk about things that bode poorly, bode ill, bode fantastically, bode terribly, bode better, bode worse, etc. examples: I recognize her pout, and that scrunching of the face that bodes a cranky afternoon. The Tesla Model 3, an electric car with a reasonable price, bodes well for the future of transportation. study it now: Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "bode" means when you can explain it without saying "foretell" or "be indicative of." try it out: Think of a time you thought, "Wow, that's a really good sign!" Fill in the blanks: "(Something) bode(s) well for (a goal, relationship, upcoming event, etc.; or a day, season, year, etc.)." Example: "The homemade chips and salsa, served instantly when we sit down, bode really well for this dinner."  before you review: Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. This month, we're playing with the original and literal meanings of familiar words. I'll give you three words and their original or literal definitions, and you'll match them up. Easy! But then the following day, see if you can recall those old meanings. Hard! :) Our game has two purposes. One, we'll visit the interesting, thought-provoking old meanings of words. And two, we'll remind ourselves of a powerful learning strategy: delayed recalling. Let's play! First, try to recall from yesterday the original meanings of "grin" and "endure" and the literal meaning of "manga." Answers appear at the bottom of this issue. Next, match these words to their original or literal definitions in the answer bank below: 1. "Ambush" literally means _____ 2. "Discord" literally means _____ 3. "Lingerie" originally meant _____ Answer bank: A. "(with) hearts apart." B. "all the linen items in someone's wardrobe." C. "in a wood." review today's word: 1. One opposite of BODE is A. IMPLY B. OFFER C. CONCEAL 2. Modern Disney princesses are less helpless, more intelligent, and more self-determined, a change that bodes _____. A. the extent to which Cinderella and Snow White were passive B. unhelpful for adults who grew up idolizing the wistful Ariel C. well for young girls eager for role models Answers are below. a final word: To be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes. Answers to game questions: 1. "Grin" originally meant "to snare, or to catch in a snare." 2. "Manga" literally means "aimless pictures." 3. "Endure" originally meant "to harden." Answers to review questions: 1. C 2. C